Grouped electromechanical annunciator



J1me 1954 c. J. DRATHSCHMIDT GROUPED ELECTROMECHANICAL ANNUNCIATOR FiledFeb. 27, 1955 INVEN TOR. (HZ (/01554 fli/YZWZMW? Patented June 1, 1954GROUPED ELECTROMECHANICAL AN NUN CIATOR Carl John Drathschmidt, NewYork, N. Y. Application February 27, 1953, Serial No. 339,399

3 Claims.

This invention relates to annunciators of the magnetically actuated typeand proposes certain improvements in the annunciator set forth in myco-pending application, Serial No. 323,280, filed November 29, 1952.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedannunciator wherein a plu rality of signalin indicia. are actuated in avertical direction by a plurality of electric magnets, permanent magnetsbeing provided above the electronagnets and serving to retain theindicia in. operative position after the particular electric magnet hasbeen de-energized, these permanent magnets being movable away from theindicia manually when it is desired to clear the annunciator.

For other objects and a better understanding of the invention, referencemay be had to the following detailed description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an annunciator embodying the featuresof the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view the line 3.3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the sliding indlcia;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 5-5of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2 showing the slide in theraised or operative position.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing in which similar referencenumerals identify corresponding parts throughout the several views,there is shown an annunciator, referred to collectively as It andincluding a hollow rectangular casing II, substantially as illustrated.The front wall of the casing I I is provided with a rectangular openingI2 behind which is suitably secured a glass window I3. As shown in Fig.1, the glass window I3 carries gold numerals, longitudinally spaced fromeach other, and for a purpose to be hereinafter described. A channelshaped plate It having a main portion I5 and forwardly extending, topand bottom flanges I 5 and I! respectively, is suitably secured behindthe window I3 substantially as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Verticalstrips I8 are welded intermediate the top and bottom flanges I6 and I Iin longitudinally spaced relation to each other, as shown in Fig. 2,providing thereby a plurality of vertical channels I9. The body portionI5 and the channels I9 are also colored gold whereby to provide takenalong T: channel I9.

a light background for the gold indicia on window I3 and to normallyrender the latter substantially invisible.

A slide 2I is slidably disposed Within each channel IS, the slide 2!being colored black for a purpose which will hereinafter become clear.

An electric magnet 22 is suitably secured at one end to the rear wall 230f casing I I, as shown in Fig. 3, directly behind the top portion ofeach Each magnet 22 includes a core 24 which is coiled copper wire 25,the magnet 22 being connected parallel with a source of voltage by meansof insulated cord 25, and in series with the manually operable switcheson each floor. A buzzer 21 is also connected in searound ries with thesource of voltage so that when any one of the manually operableswitches, not shown, is closed to actuate one of the electro-magnets 22,the elevator operator will be advised by sound as well as visually in amanner hereinafter to be described.

The particular indicia carried by the window I 3 correspond to thelocation of each of the manu-' ally operable switches. Thus, when theswitch or button on the seventh floor is pressed, the circuit will beclosed for the electro-magnet 22 directly behind the channel I9 which isin turn directly behind the indicia 'I on window I3. This will draw theslide 2| upwardly into the position of Fig. 6, the slide 2I being formedof a magnetically permeable material such as steel. When the black slide2I moves behind the gold num ber l, the latter will be made sharplyvisible by the contrast between the gold and the black, thus indicatingto the operator that the switch or button on the seventh floor has beenpushed. Simultaneously, the buzzer 2'! will sound in the mannerpreviously described.

It will be noted that the buzzer 2! is adapted for connection to both A.C. and D. C. circuits.

As a means of retaining the slides in the raised position after themanually operable switches on the particular floors have again beenopened, the ends of plate I4 on the front thereof are provided withvertical brackets 28 having vertical elon gated slots 29. An elongatedchannel member 30 of substantially inverted U-shaped cross sectionslides intermediate the brackets 28 and is supported at its ends by pins3|, secured thereto, which move within the slots 29, as shown in Fig. 2.A plurality of permanent magnets 32 are supported between the sides ofchannel member 30, as shown in Fig. 3, the sides of member 30 beingcrimped as at 33, to engage corresponding grooves in the magnets 32,whereby to retain the same within the member 30. The member 30 and themagnets 32 carried thereby will normally rest on top of top flange 30,as shown in Figs. 3 and 6. Thus, when the particular sliding members 2!are drawn upwardly by activation or" the particular eleotro-magnet 22,the sliding members 2| will be retained in the raised position bypermanent magnets 32 after the electro-magnets 22 have beende-activated.

As a means of clearing the annunciator, a rod 34 is fixedly carried atits top by the member 30 and extends downwardly through a suitableopening in the bottom of the casing, the lower end of rod 34 beingprovided with a sleeve 35 and knob 36. When it is desired to clear theannunciator, the knob 36 is merely pushed upward to separate the magnets32 from sliding members 2 l, and to permit the latter to drop of theirown weight to inoperative positions.

It is to be clearly understood that my invention can be used in manyplaces, such as in offices, hotels, restaurants, etc., and'furthermore,up to any desired number. .'While various changes may be made in thedetail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall bewithin the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by theappended claims.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what is claimed is:

1. An annunciator comprising a substantially vertical elongatedtransparent glass carrying longitudinally spaced, colored indiciathereon, a plurality of vertical, longitudinally spaced channels behindsaid glass, each of said channels being aligned with one of saidindicia, the color of said channels being the same as that of theindicia, a plurality of sliding members adapted to move verticallyWithin said channels into and out of alignment with said indicia,individual electromagnetic means for moving said sliding members intoalignment with said indicia, said sliding members being colored so as tocontrast with the color of said indicia, a longitudinal means forretaining said sliding members in said 4 alignment after deenergizationof said electromagnetic means and means for manually returning said tabsto their lower, visually inoperative positions, said means for retainingsaid sliding members in their raised positions comprising a longitudinalmember extending across the tops of said channels, and a plurality ofpermanent magnets fixedly carried by said member,

each or" said permanent magnets being aligned.

with one of said channels and adapted to retain the said sliding membersin raisedposition, said means for manually returning said slidingmembers to their visually inoperative positions comprising saidlongitudinal member being slidable vertically away from the top of saidchannels, and manually operable means for raising said longitudinalmember whereby to permit said sliding members to return to theirinoperative positions.

2. An annunciator according to claim 1, said longitudinal member beingof substantially inverted U-shaped cross section and adapted to receivesaid permanent magnets upwardly therewithin, said permanent magnetsbeing provided with grooves on each side, the sides of said 1ongitudinalmember being crimped into said grooves wherebyto retain said magnetstherewithin, a vertical bracket fixedly mounted on each end of saidlongitudinal member, each of said vertical brackets having an elongatedvertical slotyand pins fixedly carried at each end of said longitudinalmember adapted to slide vertically within said elongated slots.

3. An annunciator according to claim 2, said manually operable means forraising said longitudinal member comprising a vertical bar fixedlyconnected at its upper end to said longitudinal member and slidable in avertical direction, the lower end of said bar extending downwardly belowthe device, and an enlarged knob carried at the lower end of said bar tofacilitate movement thereof.

Hamlin Aug. 28, 1928

